RSL vs Skyhook RSL

While a normal RSL automatically pulls the reserve ripcord pin following a breakaway, the new UPT Skyhook RSL goes two steps further. It automatically releases the non-RSL riser in case the RSL riser was released prematurely (ensuring your reserve will not deploy with half your main still attached). The Skyhook then uses your departing malfunctioned main canopy as a super pilot chute to deploy your reserve canopy, taking about ½ second from breakaway to line stretch (reserve canopy out of the bag). This is 3 to 4 times faster than a pilot chute can do alone. The Skyhook also causes the reserve bag to leave your back with such speed that it becomes far less likely you will entangle with your main canopy in the case of a spinning malfunction.

Breakaway from a Partial Malfunction

During a breakaway from a partial malfunction, the Skyhook RSL will pull your reserve pin and then lift your reserve canopy out of the container, getting it to line stretch in about half a second. Even though the Skyhook gets your reserve to line stretch faster than ever before possible, it does not make it open any harder.

Breakaway from a Partial Malfunction

Main Total Malfunction In the case of a total malfunction (your main is still in it's container when you pull your reserve), the reserve free bag bridle will automatically release itself from the SkyHook Lanyard after the pilot chute travels five feet away from the container. It's like a race, whichever is traveling away from you faster - your cutaway main or your pilot chute - will control the deployment. In this case, the main isn't going anywhere, so the reserve pilot chute wins.

Main Horseshoe Malfunction

In the event of a main horseshoe malfunction, the broken away main risers will start to deploy your reserve but wouldn't finish the job because, let's say the main pilot chute is entangled with you. When your main risers stop pulling, the reserve pilot chute takes over and deploys your reserve. The Skyhook may help you even in this situation, by assisting the reserve pilot chute out of the burble before it lets it go, thus making entanglement with the still attached main less likely.

In A Spin

If you have a spinning malfunction, the danger of going unstable during reserve deployment and possibly entangling with your reserve is greatly reduced. So if your plan is not to use an RSL, and "get stable" again before pulling your reserve, the Skyhook system will get you under reserve in 6-7 times less distance. This is due to the 400-500 feet you will fall trying to get stable before pulling your reserve ripcord.

I jump an 84 square foot cross braced main and a 106 reserve. Recently, I made a jump with the main completely soaking wet. It opened in an extremely fast turn and began to go into line twists. Witnesses estimated that I was turning more than 2 revolutions per second. After a brief struggle to correct the spin, the G forces were so high that I could barely reach my cutaway handle. I finally got ahold of it and cut away still spinning violently on my back. My skyhook fired my reserve and in less than 100 feet I had a perfect reserve canopy. The Skyhook pulled so quickly and with such force that my reserve opened horizontally and I swung under it with zero line twists. Thank you for saving my life!

Jimmy Tranter (2010) aka: Jimmy T.

My name is Will Riga I'm a new skydiver, my home dropzone is Skydive Chicago. I'm writing you because one of my friends (TJ Compton also of Skydive Chicago) that I went through aff with just had an amazing save utilizing your skyhook while visiting Eloy. On the video he actually thanks the skyhook. I just wanted to send it to you, because it's an amazing video and if nothing else I think it would be great up on the website, because it showcases the unbelievable benefit of having Skyhook in your rig. I also want you to know that I jumped a Vector 3 last summer and I'm hooked, I'm currently designing and getting my ideas together for my very first rig which will definitely be a Vector. I just wanted to thank you for making the Skydiving World so much safer.